Lid construction with non-leak vent

ABSTRACT

A container lid with a non-leak vent comprising a lid having a recessed portion surrounded by an upwardly converging wall portion which intimately retains a peripheral portion of an absorbent member; said absorbent member being disposed over a vent opening in the recessed portion of the lid to prevent undue leakage of liquids through the vent opening, but to permit breathing of fluid therethrough in accordance with the thermal condition of contents in the container covered by the lid.

United States Patent [191 Cheladze et al.

[451 Apr. 23, 1974 1 1 LID CONSTRUCTION WITH NON-LEAK VENT [76]Inventors: George Andre Cheladze, 5236 N.

20th St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85016; Jack Arlind, 3530 Henry Hudson Pky., NewYork, N.Y. 10014 [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 304,706

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No, 666,662,Sept. 11, 1967.

[52] US. Cl. 220/44 R, 229/43 [51] Int. Cl B65d 51/16 [58] Field ofSearch 220/44 R, 44 A, 44 C, 60;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048,317 8/1962 Cochrane229/7 R 3,083,861 4/1963 Amberg 220/44 A 3,193,130 6/1965 Miller 220/60R 3,455,481 7/1969 Colgan 220/44 R Primary ExaminerDonald F. MortonAltorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenneth .1. Hovet; Paul R. Wylie; Leigh B.Taylor [57] ABSTRACT A container lid with a non-leak vent comprising alid having a recessed portion surrounded by an upwardly converging wallportion which intimately retains a peripheral portion of an absorbentmember; said absorbent member being disposed over a vent opening in therecessed portion of the lid to prevent undue leakage of liquids throughthe vent opening, but to permit breathing of fluid therethrough inaccordance with the thermal condition of contents in the containercovered by the lid.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures LID CONSTRUCTION WITH NON-LEAK VENT This isa continuation of application Ser. No. 666,662, filed 9/11/67.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art coffee cups and other containers,such as polystyrene foam cups, have been provided with thin plastic lidswhich engage the perimeter of the cup in a sealing relation therewith.Such prior art lids have been provided with small perforations to allowfor the escape of steam or for breathing of fluid through the lid toprevent an undue pressure differential from being exerted thereon whenthermal conditions of the liquid in the cup changes. As for example,when the liquid in the container cools, this vent permits air to passinwardly through the vent opening to compensate for fluid contraction.

A common fault of such prior art lid vents is that they permit aconsiderable leakage of coffee or other fluids therethrough onto the topof the lid, and oftentimes the excess leakage of the fluid causes thefluid to spill.

Many prior art lids have been provided with recesses for retainingexcess fluid which leaks through the vent in the lid. This condition isunattractive, and often results in spillage of coffee, or other suchmaterial, causing damage to clothing or other articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a novelcontainer lid construction with a non-leak vent so as to provide a verydesirable enclosing lid for a polystyrene foam cup, or the like. Saidlid, according to the invention, includes a fluid vent to permit themaintenance of a normal pressure differential across the lid so as toavoid undesirable conditions of expansion or contraction relative to thelid and the container. The lid of the invention comprises an upstandingconverging wall structure surrounding a portion of the lid in which avent opening is disposed; and an absorbent member made of material, suchas blotting paper, is located to overlie the vent opening, and isprovided with a periphery intimately retained in the upwardly convergingwall structure. The absorbent member prevents undue leakage of liquidthrough the vent opening, but permits normal fluid breathing through theopening to prevent high pressure differentials across the lid and thewalls of the container. 7

The absorbent member is liquid and fluid pervious, and yet prevents ahigh flow rate of liquid through the opening due to the fact that theabsorbent member is held in close adjacent relationship to the openingby a converging wall structure of the lid.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelcontainer lid construction with a non-leak vent which prevents undueflow of liquid through the vent, and permits maintenance of a nominalpressure differential across the lid or across the walls of thecontainer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container lidconstruction with a non-leak vent, wherein an upper portion of a thinplastic lid of the invention is reccssed and surrounded by an upwardlyconverging resilient annular wall within which is retained the perimeterof an absorbent member of blotter-like material; the perimeter of theabsorbent member being resiliently and intimately engaged by saidupwardly converging wall to maintain the absorbent member in positionover the vent opening in the recessed portion of the lid, and to holdthe absorbent member, such as to prevent substantial flow of liquidthrough the vent opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container lidconstruction with a non-leak vent which is particularly adapted for usein connection with polystyrene foam coffee cups, or the like, in orderto prevent leakage of coffee through the lid during transportation froma coffee dispenser to a location at which the coffee is consumed, all ofwhich provides a most desirable condition of the container, and avoidsspillage which normally is undesirable, and sometimes damaging toclothing or surrounding objects.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel containerlid construction with non-leak vent having novel means for retaining anabsorbent member over a vent openingin the lid, and for bracing andholding the structure surrounding the absorbent member of the inventionrelative to the rim 'of the lid which engages or is adapted to engage anormally open end of a container, such as a polystyrene foam cup, or thelike.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a topside of a container lid construction with a non-leak vent, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top or plan view of a container lid construction withnon-leak vent, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an edge elevational view of a container lid construction withnon-leak vent, according to the present invention, said lid constructionbeing shown engaged with an open end of a container, such as polystyrenefoam cup, or the like, said cup being shown fragmentarily;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from the line 5-5 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the rim structure ofthe container lid construction of the invention shown spaced relative toa fragmentary portion of an open end rim structure of a container, suchas a polystyrene foam cup, or the like; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the rim structure of thecontainer lid construction of the invention resiliently engaged with anopen end structure of a polystyrene foam cup, or the like, and whereinthe said rim structure is annular and channel-shaped in cross-section,and engages in a sealing relation with both inner and outer annularsurfaces of the open end of the container structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a container lid construction with non-leak vent, andaccording to the present invention, comprises a lid structure 10 whichis generally discshaped or annular, and which is provided with acentrally disposed recessed portion 12 over which an absorbent member 14is disposed. The recessed portion 12 is provided with a vent opening 16which extends through the recessed portion 12from an upper surface 18thereof to a lower surface 20 thereof.

The absorbent member 14 is preferably a fluid pervious member, and maybe of material similar to blotter paper, or the like.

Surrounding the recessed portion 12 is an upwardly converging annularwall portion 22 which is integral with the recessed portion 12. Thisconverging annular wall structure 22 is disposed generally at an angleto a central axis of the lid of the invention, as by a line 24, andlines 26 and 28 are spread apart a distance which represents the radialdimension of interference provided between an inner surface of theannular converging wall 22, and perimiter portion 30 of the absorbentmember 14. This absorbent member 14, at its peripheral portion 30 ispressed into position to attain substantially a radial interference, asindicated by the space between the lines 26 and 28.

When the absorbent member is pressed into the space internally of theupwardly converging annular wall 22, this wall 22 may be slightlyresiliently expanded or deflected to receive the peripheral portion 30of the absorbent member 14 so that it is intimately and very securelyheld in position over the recessed portion 12, and in closely adjacentrelation with the vent opening 16.

Integral with the annular wall portion 22, and extending in asubstantially horizontal direction, is a ring portion 32 which isintegral with a downwardly extending annular wall 34. It will beunderstood that the upwardly converging annular wall 22, ring 32, anddownwardly extending annular wall 34, form a generally invertedsubstantially annular channel-shaped in cross-section structuresurrounding the absorbent member 14.

Integral with the wall 34 are generally inverted, radially disposed,channel-shaped in cross-section braces 36, these braces '36 at theirlowermost portions, are integral with horizontal lid portions 38, whichare also integral with the lower edge of the annular wall 34. Thesehorizontal lid portions 38 are relatively recessed below the ringportion 32 and uppermost portions of the radial brace portions 36.

lntegral with outermost portions of the horizontal lid portions 38 andouter ends of the radial brace portions 36 is an annular, inverted,channel-shaped in crosssection portion 40, this annular channel-shapedin cross-section portion 40 is provided with an annular inclined portion42 which is integral with a second annular inverted, channel-shaped incross-section structure 44 which forms the container engaging rimstructureof the lid of the invention. This second annular invertedchannelshaped in cross-section structure 44 is provided with an annularinner rim engaging portion 46 adapted to engage an inside portion 48 ofa container open end structure 50, as shown in FlGS. 5, 6 and 7 of thedrawings.

The annular channel-shaped in cross-section structure 44 is alsoprovided with an outer annular rim engaging portion 52 which is adaptedto engage and surround an outer peripheral portion 54 of a containeropen end structure 50.

It will be seen that the upwardly converging annular wall 22, and theannular channel-shaped structures 40 and 44 are all in concentric spacedrelationship to each other, and that the braces 36 and lid portions 38surrounding the ring-shaped structure 32 provide for a generallyrecessed relationship of the lid portions 38, while a second recess ofannular form exists between the annular structures 40 and 44.

In operation, the lid is paced over an open end 50 ofa polystyrene foamcup, or the like, such that the resilient engaging portions46 and 52 ofthe lid engage inner and outer annular portions of the cup open endstructure 50, so as to provide an intimate seal, this seal is maintainedby resilient character of the material of the lid 10, and particularlyat the channel structure 44 which resiliently tends to hold the annularseal engaging portions 46 and 52 close together and substantially closerthan the wall thickness of the end portion 50 of the cup. Thiseffectively seals against liquid or fluid leakage at the rim of the lid,as it engages the annular open end structure 50 of the cup.

When hot coffee or other fluids or liquid is contained in the cup, thesteam may pass through the vent opening 16, and through the fluidpervious absorbent member 14.

As liquid coffee, or the like, is carried in the cup, with the lid ofthe invention in place, as hereinbefore described, the free surfaceeffect of the liquid in the cup may tend to displace some of theliquidthrough the vent opening 16. However, the absorbent member in closeadjacent relation to the opening 16 prevents substantial flow of coffee,or other liquid, outwardly through the opening 16, however, the smallamount of liquid which does pass through the opening 16 is readilyabsorbed by the absorbent member 14, and this liquid saturates the areaof the absorbent member 14 at the opening 16, and effectively preventssubstantial flow of liquid through the opening 16.

Theabsorbed liquid in the absorbent member 14 migrates radially outwardtoward the upwardly converging annular wall 22, but this happens slowlyso as to maintain an efficient wet seal at the opening 16.

When the liquid in the cup cools, the volatile fluids above the hotliquid cool, and tend to condense and contract; this tends to create apressure differential, such that air from the outside tends to pass intothe cup, and this passage of air through the pervious absorbent memberl4 and the opening 16 prevents a high pressure differential fromoccuring relative to the lid of the invention, or the cup on'which it isengaged.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the containerlid construction with a non-leak vent of the present invention, readilyprevents the leakage of liquids in substantial amounts from thecontainer through the vent opening, and yet allows a pressuredifferential relieving function of the vent opening, as may be desiredin the operation of coffee cup containers and lids, as hereinbeforedescribed.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a mannerlimited only by a just interpretation of the following'claims.

We claim:

1. In a container lid construction with a non-leak vent means, thecombination of: a lid provided with upper and lower sides having a rimstructure adapted sealingly to engage an open end ofa container, saidlid having a downwardly recessed portion having a substantially flatbottom wall; an upwardly converging wall portion integral with saidrecessed portion, said wall portion surrounding said recessed portionand extending thereabove, said bottom wall having a vent openingextending therethrough; a fluid pervious absorbent flat disc having aperimeter portion intimately engaged with said upwardly converging wallportion and in flat engaged relationship with said bottom wall, andthereby retained in adjacent relation to said recessed portion toprevent excessive leakage of liquid outwardly through said vent opening,but permitting passage of fluid through said absorbent member and saidvent opening in accordance with thermal conditions of fluid internallyof a container on which said lid is sealingly engaged, a ring-shapedportion is integral with and surrounding an uppermost portion of saidupwardly converging wall portion; said ring-shaped portion beingintegral with a downwardly extending second wall portion; a generallyhorizontal lid portion surrounding said second wall portion and integralwith a lower portion of said second wall portion below said ring-shapedportion; a first annular generally inverted channel-shaped incross-section portion integral with said horizontal lid portion andprovided with a surrounding annular recess which is integral with saidrim structure; a plurality of inverted channel-shaped in cross-sectionbrace portions integral with said horizontal lid portion and extendingthereabove, said brace portions having ends integral with and extendingbetween said second wall portion and said first generally invertedchannel-shaped portion, said brace portions extending radially outwardfrom said second wall portion and spaced apart so that they are not inalignment with each other across the center of said lid.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said rim structurecomprises a second annular inverted generally channelshaped incross-section structure surrounding said first inverted,channel-shapedin crosssection portion and integral with said surrounding annularrecess.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein: said secondchannel-shaped in cross-section structure is disposed resiliently andfrictionally to engage inner and outer walls of a container at its openend.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: the channel-shapedcross-section of each of said brace portions being open toward saidlower side of said lid.

5. In a container lid construction with a non-leak vent, the combinationof: a lid constructed of a thin piece of liquid impervious resilientplastic material provided with upper and lower sides, said lid having aresilient annular inverted generally channel-shaped in cross-section rimstructure adapted sealingly to engage and fit over an open end of acontainer, said lid having a recessed portion; an upwardly convergingresilient annular wall portion integral with said recessed portion, saidwall portion surrounding said recessed portion and extending thereabove,said recessed portion having a vent opening extending therethrough; afluid pervious absorbent member having a perimeter portion intimatelyand resiliently engaged by said resilient upwardly converging wallportion and thereby retained in adjacent relation to said recessedportion to prevent excessive leakage of liquid outwardly through saidvent opening, but permitting passage of fluid through said vent openingin accordance with thermal conditions of fluid internally of a containeron which said lid is sealingly engaged; an outwardly and downwardlyextending structure integral with said upwardly converging wall portionand forming a first generally annular rib structure disposed radiallyoutwardly from said absorbent member; a plurality of invertedchannel-shaped in cross-section radially disposed brace portionsintegral with said annular rib structure and positioned in a nonaligningrelationship to each other with respect to the center of said lid; lidportions disposed generally horizontally and recessed below upperportions of said brace portions and said first annular rib structure; asecond rib portion concentrically spaced from said first annular ribstructure and integral with said lid portions and outer portions of saidradially disposed brace portions; said annular channel-shaped incross-section rim structure separated from said second rib portion by anannular recessed portion; said annular channel-shaped in cross-sectionrim structure having opposed portions disposed to engage inner and outersides of a container at its open end.

1. In a container lid construction with a non-leak vent means, thecombination of: a lid provided with upper and lower sides having a rimstructure adapted sealingly to engage an open end of a container, saidlid having a downwardly recessed portion having a substantially flatbottom wall; an upwardly converging wall portion integral with saidrecessed portion, said wall portion surrounding said recessed portionand extending thereabove, said bottom wall having a vent openingextending therethrough; a fluid pervious absorbent flat disc having aperimeter portion intimately engaged with said upwardly converging wallportion and in flat engaged relationship with said bottom wall, andthereby retained in adjacent relation to said recessed portion toprevent excessive leakage of liquid outwardly through said vent opening,but permitting passage of fluid through said absorbent member and saidvent opening in accordance with thermal conditions of fluid internallyof a container on which said lid is sealingly engaged, a ring-shapedportion is integral with and surrounding an uppermost portion of saidupwardly converging wall portion; said ring-shaped portion beingintegral with a downwardly extending second wall portion; a generallyhorizontal lid portion surrounding said second wall portion and integralwith a lower portion of said second wall portion below said ring-shapedportion; a first annular generally inverted channel-shaped incross-section portion integral with said horizontal lid portion andprovided with a surrounding annular recess which is integral with saidrim structure; a plurality of inverted channel-shaped in cross-sectionbrace portions integral with said horizontal lid portion and extendingthereabove, said brace portions having ends integral with and extendingbetween said second wall portion and said first generally invertedchannel-shaped portion, said brace portions extending radially outwardfrom said second wall portion and spaced apart so that they are not inalignment with each other across the center of said lid.
 2. Theinvention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said rim structure comprises asecond annular inverted generally channel-shaped in cross-sectionstructure surrounding said first inverted, channeL-shaped incross-section portion and integral with said surrounding annular recess.3. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein: said secondchannel-shaped in cross-section structure is disposed resiliently andfrictionally to engage inner and outer walls of a container at its openend.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: the channel-shapedcross-section of each of said brace portions being open toward saidlower side of said lid.
 5. In a container lid construction with anon-leak vent, the combination of: a lid constructed of a thin piece ofliquid impervious resilient plastic material provided with upper andlower sides, said lid having a resilient annular inverted generallychannel-shaped in cross-section rim structure adapted sealingly toengage and fit over an open end of a container, said lid having arecessed portion; an upwardly converging resilient annular wall portionintegral with said recessed portion, said wall portion surrounding saidrecessed portion and extending thereabove, said recessed portion havinga vent opening extending therethrough; a fluid pervious absorbent memberhaving a perimeter portion intimately and resiliently engaged by saidresilient upwardly converging wall portion and thereby retained inadjacent relation to said recessed portion to prevent excessive leakageof liquid outwardly through said vent opening, but permitting passage offluid through said vent opening in accordance with thermal conditions offluid internally of a container on which said lid is sealingly engaged;an outwardly and downwardly extending structure integral with saidupwardly converging wall portion and forming a first generally annularrib structure disposed radially outwardly from said absorbent member; aplurality of inverted channel-shaped in cross-section radially disposedbrace portions integral with said annular rib structure and positionedin a nonaligning relationship to each other with respect to the centerof said lid; lid portions disposed generally horizontally and recessedbelow upper portions of said brace portions and said first annular ribstructure; a second rib portion concentrically spaced from said firstannular rib structure and integral with said lid portions and outerportions of said radially disposed brace portions; said annularchannel-shaped in cross-section rim structure separated from said secondrib portion by an annular recessed portion; said annular channel-shapedin cross-section rim structure having opposed portions disposed toengage inner and outer sides of a container at its open end.